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METALLICA Bassist On 'Monster' Documentary, 'Death Magnetic' Songwriting Process

December 14, 2009

Jon Matsumoto of MercuryNews.com recently conducted an interview with METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On the 2004 METALLICA documentary "Some Kind of Monster" (filmed while vocalist-guitarist James Hetfield was struggling to beat alcoholism):

"I was a little freaked out by the film crew being there every day. There was no hiding because I was part of the spectacle. I realized I just had to suck it up and try not to think about it too much. It was a pretty heavy transitional period for the band. I know James, at times, was walking on thin ice."

On the "Death Magnetic" LP, which has garnered some of the best reviews for a METALLICA release since its 1991 self-titled breakthrough album (also known by fans as the "Black Album"):

"There's a lot of stuff on the album where I had input. But personally I felt my role — and this was my choice — was to absorb the process and to really try to learn the art of songwriting through the eyes of METALLICA. When (drummer) Lars (Ulrich) and James build and arrange a song, it's pretty special. You really have to let them feed off of each other. You don't want to ruin that energy flow."

On replacing Jason Newsted in METALLICA and being accepted immediately by the other band members after he joined the group:

"When they went through their transition (with me) they had to realize that they had to treat people with more respect and they grew. They had their issues with Jason. It's really not my place to comment on that.

"Jason is a really nice guy. I have had nothing but great experiences with him. I know when I came into the situation they welcomed me with open arms. It was almost surreal because I've been in similar situations professionally where I wasn't included in band meetings."

On METALLICA's induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame:

"The most important thing with our induction is to bring awareness to some of the other groups in the hard rock, metal realm. We've got (BLACK) SABBATH in the Hall of Fame. So let's bring awareness to bands like UFO and RUSH and bands from other parts of the globe. It doesn't have to be centered around Britain or the U.S."

Read the entire interview at MercuryNews.com.

Photo below courtesy of MetOnTour.com

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